[Estimated Time Remaining: 27 minutes and 42 seconds.]
The number continued to fall before Lucian’s eyes.
Each passing second was accompanied by another vibration beneath his feet.
The silver Beldum struggled in the air, desperately trying to move away from the cavern’s entrance.
The violet energy surrounding its body stretched into the darkness like a chain.
Whenever the small Pokémon managed to move forward, that force dragged it back again.
The leader Metagross moved first.
Its four legs struck the platform, and a wave of psychic energy swept across the valley.
Several rocks were pulverized while blue light surrounded Beldum’s body.
The force pulling it backward stopped.
For an instant.
A violet pulse emerged from the mountain.
The two forces collided.
The air distorted, and an explosion sent crystal fragments flying in every direction.
Atlas raised his spoons.
A transparent barrier covered Lucian, Alaric, Adrian, and Rhea.
The crystals struck its surface like shining rain.
Members of the colony scattered.
The Metang surrounded the younger Beldum and guided them toward distant platforms, while the other Metagross took positions around the valley.
They did not require verbal orders.
The colony’s mental network transmitted the leader’s instructions from one individual to another.
However, that same connection also spread the interference.
Lucian could feel it.
Fear, confusion, and pain circulated among hundreds of minds.
The thoughts of the younger Beldum blended together while the Metang struggled to keep them under control.
The leader once again exerted pressure on its descendant.
Beldum advanced several centimeters.
The violet chain tightened.
The stone beneath the entrance cracked.
“It won’t work,” Lucian said.
The leader Metagross turned one eye toward him.
“My power surpasses whatever is holding him.”
“But you’re pulling on his body. The connection is inside his mind.”
The temperature seemed to fall.
Lucian felt the Pokémon’s irritation.
“Are you suggesting that I do not understand my own blood?”
Alaric moved half a step in front of his grandson.
“He is suggesting that brute force could harm him.”
“I did not ask you, old human.”
“And I do not need you to.”
Two invisible pressures collided between them.
Lucian looked from one to the other.
“You can measure who has the greater pride after we save him.”
Adrian coughed to hide what had probably been a laugh.
Alaric glanced at Lucian.
The leader Metagross remained motionless.
Then it withdrew part of the force it was exerting on Beldum.
“Speak,” it ordered.
Lucian opened the system.
Interference covered most of the screen, but the urgent mission remained visible.
[Objective: Free Beldum from the resonance.]
Resonance.
Not possession.
Not mind control.
The unknown entity was not directly controlling the Pokémon.
Something inside Beldum was responding to the mountain’s energy and amplifying the connection.
“I need to examine him from closer range.”
“You will not approach,” the leader replied.
“Then I cannot help him.”
“Use your bond.”
“I don’t know what is happening inside his body. If I try to cut the connection without understanding it, I could hurt him.”
Metagross looked toward Beldum.
The small Pokémon was dragged toward the entrance again.
[Estimated Time Remaining: 26 minutes and 11 seconds.]
“Do it,” the leader finally agreed.
“But if you harm him…”
“You’ll destroy me. I understand.”
Lucian stepped beyond Atlas’s barrier.
Alaric caught him by the shoulder.
“You are not going alone.”
“The resonance is affecting Steel- and Psychic-type Pokémon. If Atlas or the leader gets too close, they might strengthen it.”
“That is an assumption.”
“Based on what happened to Magneton, the Metang at the pass, and the entire colony.”
Alaric did not remove his hand.
Lucian lowered his voice.
“Grandfather, I need you to trust me.”
“I trust you. I do not trust the thing beneath the mountain.”
“Neither do I.”
A thunderous sound shook the valley.
Part of the cavern’s ceiling collapsed behind Beldum.
The violet force intensified, and the small Pokémon lost several meters.
Lucian extended one hand toward it.
“Beldum!”
His physical voice was lost beneath the noise.
But the mental message reached him.
“I’m here.”
Beldum’s single red eye focused on him.
The energy surrounding its body faltered.
Lucian moved forward.
Alaric tightened his hold on his grandson’s shoulder one final time before releasing him.
“Atlas will maintain a barrier connected to your mind. If the connection attempts to drag you away, he will sever it.”
“Understood.”
“Do not attempt to be a hero.”
“I’ll only try to be useful.”
“In our family, those two things usually end equally badly.”
Lucian had no time to answer.
He ran toward the platform.
Gravity seemed to change with every pulse from the mountain.
Some stones floated while others struck the ground with force far greater than their weight.
Lucian moved between them while Atlas deflected the fragments threatening to strike him.
Beldum remained nearly twenty meters away.
Too far.
Lucian concentrated psychic energy around his legs.
He did not try to levitate.
He merely reduced part of his body’s weight so he could advance more quickly.
The system responded.
[Basic application of telekinesis on the user detected.]
[Control unstable.]
He did not need an evaluation to know that.
His next step lifted him higher than expected, and he landed on his knees.
Pain tore through his legs.
He stood again.
“Lucian!” Alaric shouted.
“I’m fine.”
He wasn’t, but he could continue.
Beldum produced a metallic cry.
Lucian felt its concern.
“Don’t look at the cavern,” he told it.
“Look at me.”
The Pokémon obeyed.
For the first time, its mind formed something resembling a complete sentence.
“It hurts.”
The words struck Lucian harder than any pulse.
“I know. I’m going to help you.”
“Inside.”
“Does it hurt inside you?”
An image arrived in response.
A shining core surrounded by violet lines.
Beldum did not understand its own anatomy, but it could feel energy gathering at the center of its body.
Lucian opened Analysis.
“Analyze.”
The screen trembled.
[Target affected by superior interference.]
[Complete Analysis unavailable.]
“Show me everything you can.”
The interface flickered.
[Shiny Beldum]
[Sex: Genderless]
[Type: Steel/Psychic]
[Ability: Clear Body]
[Potential: Unstable result.]
[Strength: Initial High]
[Foundation: Excellent — temporarily compromised.]
[Physical Condition: Energy overload.]
[Mental Condition: Frightened.]
[Anomaly Detected: Astral Resonance.]
[Origin: Energy core.]
[Warning: The resonance is forcing a premature expansion of the core.]
[Probable Consequences: Loss of control, core collapse, permanent mental alteration, or absorption by the external source.]
[Estimated Time Before Critical Point: 24 minutes.]
Lucian relayed the information to Alaric.
His grandfather responded immediately.
“Can the energy be extracted?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ask the system for treatment options.”
Lucian concentrated.
[Searching available routes.]
[Option 1: Interrupt the resonance through a combined barrier.]
[Probability of Success: 31%.]
[Risk: Damage to the target’s core.]
[Option 2: Allow the resonance to reach its peak and separate the target during the subsequent weakening period.]
[Probability of Success: 54%.]
[Risk: Mutation, mental loss, or death.]
[Option 3: Stabilize the target’s core and allow it to assimilate a controlled portion of the energy.]
[Probability of Success: 68%.]
[Requirements: Compatible mental anchor, psychic stabilizer, and an external source capable of containing the excess energy.]
Lucian read the third option again.
Compatible mental anchor.
Him.
Psychic stabilizer.
He remembered the reward from his previous mission.
He opened Storage.
Two objects floated inside the dark space.
The first was a small transparent crystal containing blue light.
The second resembled a scroll made of energy, representing the telepathy technique already integrated into his mind.
Lucian selected the crystal.
[Crystal of Mental Clarity]
[Quality: High.]
[A crystallization of stable psychic energy.]
[Functions: Protects consciousness, reduces mental interference, and temporarily stabilizes a psychic core.]
[Warning: The crystal will be consumed after use.]
He had the stabilizer.
They still needed something capable of containing the excess energy.
Lucian looked at the leader Metagross.
“I need your help.”
“You already have it.”
“Not the way you were trying before. Beldum must assimilate part of the energy. If we sever the entire connection, his core could collapse.”
“And the rest?”
“You and the colony will have to absorb it and disperse it through the network.”
The nearby minds reacted.
The Metagross exchanged signals.
The leader did not look away from Lucian.
“The energy is already disturbing my descendants.”
“Because it is entering without control. You need to organize the network to distribute it among the strongest members while keeping the younger Beldum away.”
“It could contaminate the entire colony.”
“Yes.”
The mental silence was heavier than any sound.
“Is there another option?” Alaric asked.
Lucian explained the first two paths.
No one appeared satisfied.
Rhea looked toward the counter visible only to Lucian, even though she could not see it herself.
“How much time do we have?”
“Twenty-two minutes before the critical point.”
Adrian watched the cavern.
“And we don’t know what will happen when it reaches that point.”
“The entity will awaken,” Lucian said.
He did not know exactly what that meant.
However, the system did not use warnings of that kind without reason.
The leader Metagross released a signal.
The colony began to reorganize.
The younger Beldum retreated to the edges of the valley, escorted by groups of Metang.
The five adult Metagross took positions around the central platform.
“The blood of iron shares its strength,” the leader declared.
“But you will be the anchor. If your mind fails, his will fall with yours.”
“I understand.”
“No,” Alaric interrupted.
“Lucian is five years old. Atlas will serve as the anchor.”
“He cannot,” Lucian said.
“Beldum is connected to me. Atlas can protect us, but replacing me would weaken the compatibility.”
“Then we will find another path.”
“We don’t have time.”
“There is always another alternative.”
“Not in twenty-two minutes.”
Alaric approached until he stood directly in front of him.
“I will not accept a solution that could destroy your mind.”
“And I will not stand here and watch while his breaks apart.”
They stared at one another.
Lucian could sense his grandfather’s fear behind the hard expression.
It was not fear of the mountain.
It was fear of losing the last remaining member of his family.
Lucian extended his mind and carefully touched Alaric’s barrier without attempting to cross it.
“I’m not alone,” he said.
“Atlas will be with me. So will you.”
The elderly man closed his eyes for a second.
When he opened them again, his expression was no calmer, but he had made a decision.
“Atlas will connect our minds. If you begin to lose your identity, I will enter the bond and personally pull you out.”
“You don’t have psychic powers.”
“I will find a way.”
Lucian believed him.
Alaric looked toward the leader Metagross.
“If my grandson suffers permanent harm, no mountain will be capable of protecting you from me.”
The Pokémon’s pressure increased.
“If my descendant dies, you will not need to search for me.”
Both appeared to consider that an acceptable agreement.
Lucian returned his attention to the system.
“Extract the Crystal of Mental Clarity.”
Blue light appeared in front of him.
The crystal dropped into his palm.
Every Psychic-type Pokémon in the valley reacted.
Atlas’s eyes widened.
The leader Metagross slightly lowered its body, while the other members of the colony released signals of surprise.
Alaric examined the object.
“That was inside the system?”
“It was the reward for completing my training.”
“Later, we will have a very long conversation about that thing’s ability to materialize objects.”
“After we prevent the disaster.”
“Definitely after.”
Lucian reached Beldum.
Only a few meters separated them, but the violet force made it impossible to approach any farther on foot.
“You need to come toward me,” he transmitted.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. You do not need to defeat whatever is behind you. You only need to move close enough to touch the crystal.”
“It hurts.”
“Then we will be afraid and in pain at the same time.”
Beldum was silent.
Lucian felt its confusion.
“Together?” it finally asked.
“Together.”
Its red eye hardened with determination.
Beldum used Take Down.
White light covered its body, and it launched itself toward Lucian.
The violet chain tightened.
The Pokémon’s speed decreased.
One meter.
Half a meter.
The energy stopped it.
“Now!” Lucian shouted.
The leader Metagross and Atlas acted simultaneously.
Blue force struck Beldum from behind, not to drag it, but to push it forward.
The Pokémon crossed the remaining distance.
Its head collided with Lucian’s chest.
The impact knocked him to the ground.
The crystal became trapped between them.
It shattered.
Blue light surrounded them.
Lucian stopped feeling his body.
His mind fell.
Not toward the cavern.
Into Beldum.
For an instant, there were no words, images, or names.
There was only a young consciousness formed within an enormous network.
Lucian felt the moment of its birth.
A magnetic storm above the mountains.
A sky covered in violet lights.
The leader Metagross holding a new descendant whose surface was not blue like the others, but silver.
At first, the colony approached with curiosity.
Then Beldum began producing strange signals.
Dreams that did not belong to the network.
A voice beneath the mountain.
Pulses that caused the younger Pokémon to lose control.
The colony’s members began to keep their distance.
Not out of contempt.
Out of fear.
The leader attempted to protect both sides.
It kept Beldum isolated and forbade it from approaching the deeper caverns.
However, it never explained its reasons in a way the young Pokémon could understand.
Beldum only perceived the isolation.
Lucian experienced years of simple questions.
Why am I different?
Why does no one come near me?
What did I do wrong?
Time did not work the same way for a creature of metal as it did for a human.
Beldum was not a newborn, but its mind was still young.
On the night of the meteor shower, the voice beneath the mountain became stronger.
It promised that Beldum would never be alone again.
Beldum had been afraid.
It searched for help.
Its call traveled through the minerals, followed the ancient barriers of the Starfall family, and found the only mind capable of hearing it.
Lucian.
“You did nothing wrong,” he told it.
Their surroundings changed.
Violet currents filled the darkness.
Something immense watched them from below.
It had no eyes.
It possessed no body Lucian could understand.
It was a fragmented consciousness sleeping inside a meteorite, attempting to rebuild itself through Beldum’s energy.
“Compatible,” the entity whispered.
The word came from everywhere.
“Vessel.”
Beldum trembled.
Lucian raised his barrier around them both.
The entity struck.
The defense cracked.
“You do not belong to it,” Lucian said.
“Born of the star.”
“That does not give it the right to decide who you are.”
Another force struck the barrier.
Lucian felt some of his memories being torn away.
Images from his previous life floated toward the darkness.
A bedroom.
A screen displaying Pokémon.
The memory of his death.
The entity moved toward them.
Lucian closed the door.
“Those belong to me.”
The Crystal of Mental Clarity completely dissolved.
Blue light repaired the cracks and stabilized Beldum’s core.
A notification appeared even within the mental connection.
[Stabilizer consumed.]
[Beginning controlled assimilation.]
[The anchor must define a limit.]
Lucian did not know how to define it.
Neither did Beldum.
Then he remembered his training.
A barrier was not a wall.
It was a door whose owner decided when to open.
“Beldum, this is your core. You decide what is allowed to enter.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Neither did I three days ago.”
Lucian showed him a memory.
Three stones floating in front of him.
Elena giving him a ribbon.
Atlas striking him with a spoon whenever he tried to exceed his limits.
Beldum felt a spark of amusement.
“Build a door,” Lucian continued.
“You do not need to do it alone. I will help you.”
Their minds joined together.
Lucian provided the structure.
Beldum supplied instinctive magnetic control.
A ring of silver and violet energy formed around its core.
The entity attempted to force its way through.
The door closed.
The excess energy remained outside.
“Now!” Lucian shouted, both physically and mentally.
Atlas connected his spoons.
The leader Metagross roared.
The colony’s network opened.
Violet energy erupted from Beldum’s body in a massive wave.
The five Metagross received it.
Their bodies illuminated.
The Metang joined behind them, forming layers around the valley.
Each Pokémon accepted part of the burden and passed it to the next.
The crystal formations shone.
The sky above the mountain turned violet.
The entity attempted to reclaim the energy.
The cavern opened.
Metallic roots emerged from the walls and advanced toward Beldum.
Adrian threw a Poké Ball.
“Arcanine, Flamethrower!”
The enormous Pokémon appeared amid flames.
A stream of fire struck the roots and melted the first ones.
Rhea released a Magnezone.
The Pokémon staggered because of the interference, but managed to stabilize itself.
“Flash Cannon against the right wall!”
The sphere of steel energy struck the roots attempting to surround Lucian.
Alaric took two Poké Balls.
“Gallade, protect Lucian! Houndoom, burn anything that crosses that entrance!”
Gallade appeared beside the child, extending its blade-like arms.
Houndoom landed in front of the cavern and released a dark stream of fire into the opening.
The system continued displaying their progress.
[Assimilation: 42%.]
[Assimilation: 57%.]
[Assimilation: 71%.]
The mental door surrounding Beldum’s core began to deform.
“I can’t,” it said.
“Yes, you can.”
“Too much.”
Lucian was also reaching his limit.
His head felt as though it were splitting from within.
Warm blood ran from his nose.
Through his connection with Atlas, he felt Alaric trying to reach him.
He did not open that door.
Allowing his grandfather inside would also expose his mind to the entity.
“A little longer,” he told Beldum.
“Together.”
“Together.”
[Assimilation: 83%.]
The roots struck Gallade’s barrier.
The Pokémon moved backward.
Houndoom destroyed another, but two new roots emerged from the ground.
The leader Metagross abandoned its position.
The redistribution of energy became unstable.
“Don’t break the formation!” Lucian shouted.
The Pokémon ignored the order.
It launched itself at the mountain with Meteor Mash.
Its enormous leg shone like a star.
The impact shook the entire valley.
The cavern entrance collapsed upon the roots and severed their physical connection to the depths.
The entity released a soundless scream.
[Assimilation: 91%.]
[Assimilation: 96%.]
The pressure returned toward Lucian.
Atlas extended his barrier.
The crystal inside Beldum went dark.
[Assimilation: 100%.]
[Resonance stabilized.]
Lucian closed the door.
The connection to the entity broke.
For an instant, nothing happened.
Then all the energy gathered over the valley rose into the sky in a violet pillar.
The clouds opened.
The wave spread across the mountains and disappeared among the stars.
Lucian returned to his body.
He was lying on the ground.
Beldum rested on his chest.
He could not hear the colony.
He could not feel the mountain.
He could only distinguish a worried voice repeatedly calling his name.
“Lucian.”
He opened his eyes.
Alaric was kneeling beside him.
Atlas held both spoons above his head while Gallade guarded the collapsed entrance.
“I’m fine,” Lucian whispered.
“If you say that again while bleeding, I will turn the phrase itself into grounds for punishment.”
Lucian tried to sit up.
The world spun.
Alaric forced him to remain on the ground.
“The entity…”
“The activity has stopped,” his grandfather replied.
“The mountain remains stable.”
Lucian looked toward Beldum.
The silver creature slowly floated upward.
Its movements remained unsteady, but the violet energy no longer dragged it backward.
The system reappeared.
[Shiny Beldum]
[Sex: Genderless]
[Approximate Age: 3 years]
[Type: Steel/Psychic]
[Ability: Clear Body]
[Potential: Diamond Low]
[Strength: Initial High]
[Foundation: Excellent]
[Physical Condition: Severe fatigue.]
[Mental Condition: Stable.]
[Moves:]
[Take Down — Proficient]
[Iron Defense — Beginner]
[Confusion — Beginner]
[Telepathy — Special Trait, newly awakened.]
[Special Characteristics:]
[Shiny coloration.]
[Direct descendant of the colony’s leader.]
[Stabilized astral resonance.]
[Psychic and magnetic core of exceptional purity.]
[Recommended Evolutionary Route: Balanced development emphasizing mental control, magnetic precision, and progressive core strengthening.]
[Warning: Avoid direct exposure to unpurified astral energy.]
Lucian stared at one line.
Diamond Low.
The system had finally calculated Beldum’s Potential.
The interference had hidden the information, but there was no longer any doubt.
Beldum possessed extraordinary talent, even within a colony whose members had excellent Foundations.
However, that was not why Lucian had come.
Beldum approached and touched its forehead against his.
“Lucian.”
Its telepathy was clumsy.
The voice appeared to be formed from metallic sounds and emotions.
Even so, it was understandable.
“I’m here.”
The leader Metagross descended onto the platform.
The other members of the colony opened a path.
Lucian felt Alaric tense.
The leader observed its descendant.
“Return to the network.”
Beldum did not move.
“The threat has ended,” Metagross continued.
“You no longer need the human.”
Sadness.
That was the first thing Lucian sensed.
It did not come from Beldum.
It belonged to the leader.
It had kept its descendant isolated because it feared the entity would use Beldum’s connection to the colony.
It had tried to protect both sides, but the price had been the youngest member’s loneliness.
Beldum turned toward it.
“Alone.”
The leader remained silent.
“I protected you.”
“Alone.”
The word struck the network again.
Several members of the colony lowered their gazes.
Metagross moved forward until it stood directly in front of its descendant.
“We did not understand what was happening inside you.”
“You did not ask.”
The leader had no answer.
Lucian remained silent.
This was something the two of them needed to resolve.
After a long moment, Metagross lowered its enormous body until it was level with Beldum.
“I failed.”
The confession traveled throughout the entire colony.
“I allowed fear to decide for us. I separated you to protect your life, but I did not understand the harm I was causing.”
Beldum approached.
It touched its ancestor’s cross with its head.
The network opened.
For the first time, the colony fully received the emotions of the silver Beldum.
Its fear.
Its pain.
Its desire to belong.
And also the memories of a human voice answering when no one else had.
Hundreds of signals surrounded the small Pokémon.
They were not rejection.
They were apologies.
Acceptance.
Welcome.
Beldum trembled.
Lucian felt its happiness.
The leader closed its eyes.
“You may return to your blood.”
Beldum looked toward the colony.
Then it looked at Lucian.
The boy said nothing.
He did not ask Beldum to choose him.
He did not extend a Poké Ball.
He did not use their bond to influence its emotions.
The decision had to belong to Beldum.
The silver Pokémon floated toward its family.
It remained among the others for several seconds.
Then it returned to Lucian.
“Blood,” it said, looking at the colony.
Then it touched the blue ribbon around the boy’s wrist.
“Home.”
Lucian felt something tighten in his chest.
“You can have both.”
Beldum transmitted a question.
“Together?”
Lucian smiled.
“Together.”
The system screen appeared.
[Primary Mission Completed.]
[The Call of the Stars]
[Origin of the connection found.]
[Resonance stabilized.]
[Voluntary bond established.]
[The unknown entity remains sealed.]
[Evaluating the user’s actions…]
[Rewards pending.]
[An exceptional bond has been detected.]
[Do you wish to recognize Beldum as your first partner?]
Lucian did not need to think about it.
“Yes.”
A faint light surrounded them.
It was not a capture.
No Poké Ball appeared, nor did any force imprison the Pokémon.
It was merely the recognition of a decision that had already been made.
[Partner Recognized.]
[Beldum has joined Lucian Starfall.]
The leader Metagross watched the scene.
“You still lack the strength required to protect him.”
Lucian held its gaze.
“Then I will become stronger.”
“You also do not completely understand what sleeps within his core.”
“We will learn together.”
“Humans age quickly. They make promises easily and forget even faster.”
Lucian raised his wrist, displaying the blue ribbon.
“I have people who will make sure I remember.”
The leader remained motionless.
Finally, it turned its attention toward Alaric.
“Ancient blood of the stars, your family has protected these mountains for generations. Will you answer for the child?”
Alaric rose to his feet.
“I will answer for my grandson. And I will protect Beldum as a member of my family.”
“He does not belong to your family.”
Beldum floated between them.
“Two families.”
The leader observed it.
Then it released a deep vibration that spread across the valley.
“Two families,” it accepted.
Lucian released his breath.
He tried to stand again.
His legs did not respond.
Alaric lifted him into his arms.
“I can walk.”
“No.”
“I only need to rest for a few minutes.”
“You destroyed that excuse the first time you nearly lost consciousness.”
Beldum floated beside them.
Lucian opened Storage to examine the rewards, but Alaric gently struck his forehead with one finger.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“I was only going to check something.”
“You will check everything after Atlas examines your mind and we return to the mansion.”
Lucian looked at Alakazam.
Atlas raised one spoon.
The message was clear.
There was no possibility of negotiation.
“Everyone in this family enjoys giving me orders.”
“That happens because you are exceptionally bad at following them.”
The colony began repairing the damage throughout the valley.
The Metang removed the fallen rocks.
The younger Beldum surrounded the silver specimen with curiosity, although none of them kept their distance this time.
Beldum shared one final signal with them before returning to Lucian’s side.
It was not a permanent farewell.
The island remained its home.
The mountains would still be there.
And one day, when it had grown stronger, it would return to understand the mystery sleeping beneath the colony.
The system displayed one final warning.
[Information Updated.]
[Unknown Entity: Dormant state.]
[The seal has temporarily regained stability.]
[Estimated Time Before a New Disturbance: Undetermined.]
Lucian closed the screen.
That problem had not ended.
They had merely gained time.
As Alaric carried him toward the trail, Lucian watched the collapsed cavern entrance.
For an instant, he thought he saw violet light flickering between the cracks.
A voice too faint for the others to hear brushed against the edge of his mind.
“Vessel found.”
Lucian reinforced his barrier.
The voice disappeared.
Beldum moved closer to him.
“Danger?”
Lucian looked at the small silver Pokémon.
It was still exhausted, but it was no longer alone.
“Not today.”
Beldum remained by his side.
Lucian closed his eyes as they left the valley.
His first mission had ended.
His true journey had only just begun.